Munich has been Bavaria’s capital city since 1506. Officially founded in 1158, there is evidence of human settlement in the area as far back as the Bronze Age.
Munich’s fortunes waxed and waned over the centuries. In the Middle Ages, it benefited from the lucrative salt trade. It declined during the ravages of the Thirty Years’ War, then grew again thanks to industry (particularly the beer industry) in the 19th century. During the interwar period of the 20th century, the city saw significant political turmoil and destruction. Today, Munich is one of the most prominent cities of Germany.
Evidence of this eventful history can be found throughout the city.
Keep reading to find out 18 of the best historic things to see in Munich!
Table of Contents
1. Marienplatz
The epicenter of Munich itself is Marienplatz. Named after the Marian column found in the center of the plaza, it was originally the city’s main marketplace; Munich’s premier Christmas market still takes place here every year.
Dominated on the north side by the Neues Rathaus, or New Town Hall, Marienplatz is a gathering place for locals and tourists alike. Every day, the Glockenspiel in the New Town Hall’s tower re-enacts a tournament held in 1568 to commemorate the wedding of one of Bavaria’s dukes; it also plays the cooper’s dance, which is still re-created in the city in real life every seven years.
2. Residenz
The Wittelsbach dynasty ruled Bavaria for over 700 years. From the 1300s, their main palace and seat of power was here, at the Munich Residenz.
The building you see today, though largely reconstructed after suffering heavy damage during World War II, dates from the 16th century onwards. The most interesting of its 90 rooms are the Antiquarium, the Grotto, and the Court Chapel. The remainder are an architectural journey through Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassicism.
3. Nymphenburg Palace
Built as a gift from Elector Ferdinand Maria to his wife, Nymphenburg Palace was a summer retreat for the Wittelsbachs. Begun in 1664, construction continued over the next few centuries.
The palace houses the famous Gallery of Beauties, a collection of portraits of beautiful women commissioned by the womanizing King Ludwig I. It was also the birthplace of Bavaria’s most famous king, Ludwig II, known as Mad King Ludwig.
The extensive grounds of the palace include several retreats that are essentially mini-palaces. Also within the complex are two museums, the Martstallmuseum, featuring royal carriages and sleighs throughout the centuries, and the Porcelain Museum, with examples of works from the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, which was established in 1747.
4. St. Peter’s Church
Munich’s oldest church – it is affectionately known as Alte Peter, or “Old Peter” – was built and rebuilt several times throughout its history. Originally, it was here that monks first settled in the 8th century, with the word “monk” being the basis for the name of the city itself (“München” in German).
The current building is a mix of 14th century (the tower) and 17th and 18th centuries (the Baroque and Rococo interior). Climb the 306 steps up the tower for some of the best views of Munich.
5. Hofbräuhaus
It isn’t Bavarian without beer and the most famous beer hall in Munich is the Hofbräuhaus. It was originally built in 1589 to supply beer for the ducal court, and was opened to the public in 1828.
Now filled with tourists and oompah music, the Hofbräuhaus serves traditional Bavarian food along with beer. On a darker note, a then little-known political group held a meeting here on February 24, 1920. At that meeting, the group’s propaganda chief, Adolf Hitler, laid out the group’s 25-point manifesto; the Nazi Party was born.
6. Alte Pinakothek
One of the great art galleries of Europe, the Alte Pinakothek exhibits masterpieces from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Many works by Europe’s Old Masters can be found here – Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Raphael, Velázquez, van Eyck, van Dyck, Titian, and others.
Among the priceless works of art in the collection is the Self-portrait by Albrecht Dürer. Dürer hailed from the Bavarian town of Nuremberg and was one of the most influential and important artists of the Northern Renaissance.
7. Frauenkirche
The twin onion domed towers of the Frauenkirche are a landmark of Munich. They’re so important to the city that no other building is permitted to be taller.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Gothic Frauenkirche was built in a record 20 years in the late 15th century. Several early members of the Wittelsbach dynasty are buried here, including Louis IV, who became Holy Roman Emperor, and Albert V, who ensured Bavaria remained Catholic during the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation. The Frauenkirche suffered heavy damage during WWII and much of it has to be rebuilt – but the towers survived.
8. Bavarian National Museum
The building may look old, but it was only built in the 1890s. The museum itself was founded just a few decades earlier, in 1855, by King Maximilian II.
The Bavarian National Museum houses the state collection of decorative arts, from antiquity to modern times. All kinds of art, armor, historical dress, musical instruments, porcelain, religious items, and much more can be found in the building’s more than 100 rooms. Among the stand-out items from the collection are the 16th-century models of German cities, including Munich itself.
9. Odeonsplatz
Odeonsplatz was created in 1816 as part of a plan by the future Ludwig I to modernize Munich. (He demolished one of the old town gates to make way for the plaza.) The Theatinekirche, resting place of several members of the Wittelsbach family, stands at the western side of the square. The Feldherrnhalle, an ode to the Bavarian army, is on the south side.
A traditional place for parades and public events, Odeonsplatz was the location of the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, when Hitler and his supporters made an early attempt to seize power. (The would infamously do so a decade later.)
10. Viktualienmarkt
Munich’s favorite farmers market descends from an earlier tradition of markets. The modern Viktualienmarkt dates from 1807, when King Maximillian I ordered the market to be moved to its current location.
Here you’ll find stalls selling food, drinks, and souvenirs, all centered around a beer garden and a maypole. If you’re looking for one of the best places to eat in Munich, Viktualienmarkt should be on your list.
11. St. Michael’s Church
Built between 1583 and 1597, St. Michael’s Church was constructed on the orders of Duke Albert V “the Pious” as part of his efforts to bring the Counter-Reformation to Bavaria. Given to the Jesuit order of priests, it is the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps and was highly influential on German early Baroque architecture.
The church’s other claim to fame is that it is the burial place of several members of the Wittelsbach dynasty, including the family’s most famous member, Ludwig II, known to history as “Mad King Ludwig.”
12. Residenz Treasury
If you visit the Residenz, don’t forget to visit the adjacent Residenz Treasury. Housing the treasures of Bavaria’s Wittelsbach dynasty, the basis for the treasury began in 1565, when Duke Albert V stipulated in his will that the family jewels should be kept together.
Highlights of the collection include the Bavarian crown jewels (1806), the Statutte of Saint George (1586/1597), the Cross of Queen Gisela (c. 1006), and the Crown of an English Queen (1370 – 1380), among many other precious items.
13. Deutsches Museum
With its full name translating to “German Museum of Masterpieces of Science and Technology,” you might think that the world’s largest museum of science and technology wouldn’t have much to offer history lovers – and you’d be wrong.
Founded in 1903, the Deutsches Museum boasts a collection of 125,000 objects from 50 fields of science and technology – from aviation to chemistry to agriculture to astronomy and beyond. Nearly all the exhibitions contain a history element, so whether you want to learn about Ancient Roman engineering, see what instruments people of yesteryear played, or take a photo of historic cameras with your phone, the Deutsches Museum has you covered.
14. Olympiapark
It’s somewhat appropriate that the Olympiapark was the site of the 1972 Olympics Games. Munich’s hosting of the games was meant to showcase a new, more modern Germany after the devastation of World War II – and the Olympiapark is literally built on top of the rubble gathered after the city was bombed during the Second World War.
The 60,000-seat stadium was at the time a marvel of engineering. The games, however, were marred by tragedy when 11 Israeli athletes and one West German police officer were killed by terrorists. A memorial to the victims is found in the north of the park.
15. Lenbachhaus
Art flourished in Munich in the years leading up to the First World War. One of the major movements was led by Der Blaue Reiter group, many of whose works are displayed in the Lenbachhaus.
Originally the villa of German portraitist Franz von Lenbach (1836 – 1904), the museum was opened to the public in 1929. Artist Gabriele Münter donated several paintings and drawings, including her own, in 1957. As a result of this bequest, the Lenbachhaus is considered one of the most important collections of German Expressionism in the world, with works by artists such as Franz Marc, Wassily Kandinsky, Auguste Macke, and Paul Klee.
16. Hofgarten
While the English Garden is Munich’s largest and arguably most famous park (and definitely worth a visit), the Hofgarten is one for the history lovers (and office workers on their lunch break). Built by Elector Maximilian I in 1613 – 1617, it was originally only used by members of the court – it’s essentially the backyard of the Residenz – and not opened to the public until 1780.
At the center of the Italian Renaissance-style garden is the Diana Temple, crowned with a representation of Bavaria. You’ll find the Bavarian State Chancellery and a memorial to the White Rose Resistance Movement to the east and north-east. The western gate has painted frescoes depicting major events from the history of the Wittelsbachs and Bavaria.
17. BMW Museum
If you’re a fan of classic cars in general, and BMW in particular, you’ll want to make sure a trip to the BMW Museum is on your list. Opened in the 1970s, the museum highlights BMW’s beginnings in the 1920s to its cars and motorcycles through the years to its vision for the future.
Top it off with a visit to the next-door BMW Welt, where you’ll see the company’s current offerings on display. If you want, add a factory tour (advance booking required) to get the full BMW experience.
18. Oktoberfest
Munich’s biggest party originated over 200 years ago. In 1810, the future King Ludwig I of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. To celebrate the occasion, a five-day festival was held in a field still known as Theresienwiese (“Theresa’s Meadow” in English) in honor of the bride. The festival highlight was a horse race – the famous beer tents came later.
Today, Oktoberfest attracts over 6 million visitors to the city in late September for two weeks of drinking, games, and revelry (but mostly drinking). The celebration still drips with traditional elements: it kicks off with a parade of the brewers and their wagons, Bavarian food is widely served, and locals and tourists alike wear tracht, traditional clothing.
Want to go a little off-the-beaten path? Check out 14 Unusual Things to Do in Munich!
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